DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the blueprint or design of every organism, except a virus. It is usually found in the center of the plant or animal cell, called the nucleus. DNA molecule consists of two interlocking, coil shaped strands and resembles a spiral staircase, while RNA molecules have a variety of shapes, depending on their function in the cell. RNA (ribonucleic acid) is the opposite of DNA, but it is typically found in viruses.

DNA is double-stranded; contains the sugar deoxyribose, possesses cytosine, guanine, adenine and thymine; and is restricted to the nucleus. RNA is single stranded; contains a ribose sugar, possesses cytosine, guanine, adenine, and uracil (instead of thymine); and functions in protein synthesis in the cytoplasm. Both nucleic acids are composed of nucleotides and function in gene expression.

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